Hey Alvy,
Thanks for reaching out to me on this unexpected problem
You must have been reading my mind - have just been sitting here thinking about doing a short video and posting it to youtube. I did that once before when trying to troubleshoot engine problems (was running poorly for over a year...another long story!) I'll get a short video together so you or anyone else can hear how it sounds when trying to start - probably not tonight anymore, and I'll upload it to my youtube channel, then link it here.
As to the separation, yeah...left the tires on...just had trouble rolling the back end out BUT the likely issue with that was that there was basically no weight in the front. The old engine had already been removed. So, sort of the same issue with recoulping - the new engine was not yet ready and so when trying to recouple, the front kept wanting to move - had to brace it against my workbench with a menagerie of 2x4s, heavy walkway pavers, etc. so it wouldn't move. So, with that in mind, now that there's ample weight in front of the tractor with the new motor and everything back in place, I imagine that alone would help. Still...in no way would look forward to it...let's determine first if it really needs it (?)